Qorvo’s New RF Switch Family Targets 5G Radio Simplification

Qorvo has announced a new family of RF switches engineered to reduce the component overhead typically associated with multi-band 5G radio designs. Spanning 50 MHz to 10 GHz, the three-device lineup, the QPC6144, QPC6122, and QPC6188, is built on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology and targets infrastructure radios, industrial systems, drones, and test equipment.

The problem the family addresses is familiar to RF system designers: as 5G radios expand to cover wider bandwidths and additional frequency bands, including emerging FR3 spectrum, maintaining adequate isolation without stacking multiple switches becomes increasingly difficult. Cascaded switch architectures introduce cumulative insertion loss, degrade linearity, and consume board space that is often in short supply.

Three Devices, One Unified Platform

Each device in the family fills a distinct role while sharing a common absorptive topology. In the OFF state, all RF ports are terminated into 50 Ω loads, which prevents signal reflections from propagating back into the system, a property especially valuable in sensitive receiver chains.

The QPC6144 is an SP4T switch positioned as the high-isolation workhorse of the family. It achieves greater than 65 dB of isolation across the full bandwidth from a single device, targeting applications such as DPD feedback paths and calibration loops in mMIMO and macro radios. It supports 1.2 V, 1.5 V, and 1.8 V JEDEC-standard control logic and is housed in a compact 4×4 mm LGA package. Insertion loss is rated at 1 dB, and input IP3 is specified as +60 dBm (typical).

Qorvo’s new RF switches provide >65 dB isolation to help support signal integrity as bandwidth and frequency bands expand worldwide. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock

Complementing it, the QPC6122 is an SPDT switch optimized for space-constrained routing, with its 2×2 mm footprint making it well-suited to compact RF modules and drone platforms. Rated for 55 dB isolation and 0.8 dB insertion loss, it also offers the highest linearity of the three, with a typical IIP3 of +65 dBm.

Rounding out the family, the QPC6188 is an SP4T device in a 3×3 mm package, offering 50 dB isolation, a +60 dBm IIP3, and a notably high IP0.1dB of +39 dBm. Its broader switching flexibility makes it a natural fit for multi-path routing networks in infrastructure and test environments. All three devices operate from a single DC supply via an internal negative-voltage generator, with an optional external supply pin.

Reducing BOM Complexity Across Multiple Applications

Together, the three switches form what Qorvo describes as a unified platform for RF routing, one that can handle both high-isolation and general-purpose signal paths without requiring narrowband alternatives or cascaded configurations. Designers can consolidate switching functions into fewer components, reducing bill-of-materials complexity and simplifying PCB layout.

Each device is RoHS-compliant, halogen-free, and ECCN 5A991G (non-ITAR). The QPC6144 and QPC6188 are in production; the QPC6122 carries a preview status. Samples are available now, with the family scheduled for a showcase at IMS2026 in Boston (June 7–12, Booth 20036).

Where These Devices Fit

The QPC61xx family addresses a real tension in modern 5G radio design: the need for broader frequency coverage colliding with strict constraints on board space, power, and signal fidelity. The combination of high isolation, low insertion loss, and wideband absorptive switching across three package sizes and topologies gives RF engineers meaningful flexibility in how they architect calibration paths, DPD feedback loops, and multi-band switching networks. For teams navigating the growing complexity of FR3-capable radios or designing compact drone communication links, this family is worth a close look.